This is a cooking show?

[richlevy]

I just watched an episode of Nigella Cooks on the Style network. A very attractive, busty middle-aged woman is giving no nonsense cooking advice. I almost hesitate to say recipes since she seems to shy away from exact amounts or temperatures.

I love it.

First of all, the woman is a hot looking English Jewish mother. It took me a while to get beyond that oxymoron.

Second of all, she has what appears to be a pretty busty figure that she hides behind 'stylishly frumpy' clothes like bulky sweaters.

Third, if you hear her talk about the sensuous pleasure of kneading bread or rubbing down a roast, you can pretty much make some assumptions.

Fourth, she can really cook.

In some ways, she reminds me of what I heard about Julia Child when she was young. Of course, Julia later joined the OSS (which later became the CIA), so there are limits to the comparison. Ms. Child did not appear on PBS until her 50's, so most Americans never saw her in her younger days. The reason I make the comparison between Ms. Lawson and Ms. Child is that they both would knock off, relax, and have a glass of wine while the food cooked. This whole 'once you put it in the oven, knock off for a bit and relax' attitude is meant to remind everyone that while cooking involves skill and effort, good food is meant to be pleasurable and cooking does not always have to be a chore.

Links - official website
smarmy english pop article

Oh, and anyone who feels secure enough to turn down an 'Order of the British Empire', has my vote.

while Lawson, rejected an OBE offered in 2001 for her "services to journalism and to cookery".